NYK Group Americas is to open a branch in Sunnyvale, California, to identify emerging technologies for potential application across the group’s maritime and logistics operations.
The office will focus on developments in areas including artificial intelligence, digital technology, energy and decarbonisation, while building relationships with startups, venture capital firms and research institutions.
NYK plans to assess opportunities identified through the office using proof-of-concept projects, business partnerships and equity investments, with the company’s fleet, logistics network and customer base available for testing and commercialisation.
The branch will also act as a business development hub for the wider Americas region, with a focus on identifying technologies that could be applied to existing NYK businesses or developed into new activities.
“By opening the Silicon Valley branch, we will be better positioned to identify these developments at an early stage and build relationships with startups, investors, research institutions, and other members of the local innovation ecosystem,” said Yutaka Ikeda, managing executive officer of NYK, regional head of the Americas for the NYK Group and CEO of NYK Group Americas.
